Digital dermatoglyphics of 107 Bengalis.

I analyzed the finger prints of 59 male and 48 female unrelated Bengalis in a rehabilitation camp of Dacca, Bangladesh. The most common pattern type in the Bengalis was the ulnar loop (53%), then whorls (40%); arches (5%) and radial loops (2%) were the least common. Radial loops occurred most frequently on the index fingers. I have shown the arch/whorl, whorl/loop, and pattern intensity indices, and I have presented ridge counts by individual digits and by total digital ridge count. Digital dermatoglyphics in the male Bangladeshis were similar to previous findings in male Brahmins of Bengal. However, there were more whorls and arches, fewer loops, and a higher mean total digital ridge count in the female Bangladeshis than in female Brahmins.     

Microsatellite variation at 24 STR loci in three endogamous groups of Uttar Pradesh,India

We have studied variation at 24 microsatellite markers among 50 individuals from each of three endogamous groups, Bhargavas, Chaturvedis, and non-Bhargava, non-Chaturvedi Brahmins of Uttar Pradesh, India. The number of alleles at the loci tested varied from 4 to 11, with an average of 6 at each locus. Heterozygosity was found to be quite high at all loci in the three subpopulations. It varied between 0.44 to 0.84 among Bhargavas (average 0.6510), 0.44 to 0.80 among Chaturvedis (average 0.6633 +/-), and 0.42 to 0.85 among Brahmins (average 6.694 +/-). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis revealed that these populations are under genetic equilibrium at almost all the loci tested. Comparisons of allele frequency between Bhargavas and Chaturvedis showed that they differed significantly at 14 short tandem repeat (STR) markers (p < 0.001), while Chaturvedis and Brahmins differed at 6 (p < 0.05) and Brahmins and Bhargavas at 8 (p < 0.05). Average F(IS) and F(ST) for the 24 STR markers was -0.02 and 0.013, respectively. We used both un-weighted pair group with arithmetic mean and principal components analysis to evaluate genetic distances among the three groups. Our results revealed that although there were differences at particular allele frequencies between Bhargavas vs. Brahmins, Bhargavas vs. Chaturvedis, and Brahmins vs. Chaturvedis, these differences were not statistically significant when combined over all 24 STR markers between Chaturvedis vs. Brahmins and Bhargavas vs. Brahmins. The genetic distance analysis revealed that Bhargavas are slightly apart from the other two populations.     

Defective colour vision and taste sensitivity to PTC in the Maharashtrian population

Three caste groups of the Maharashtrian population, namely Brahmin (N=58), Maratha (N=989) and Scheduled caste (N=1073), were studied for defective colour vision and for the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). Comparisons of defective colour vision and PTC taste sensitivity were made with other Maharashtrian populations studied previously by various authors. The incidence of defective colour vision is lowest among the Brahmins (3.44%) and highest in the Scheduled caste people (4.28%). Taste sensitivity to PTC is highest among the Brahmins (72.5%) with a value which is close to the Vednagar Brahmins (73.3%) who show the highest frequency of the ‘T’ gene recorded so far in Maharashtra.     

Glyoxylase I phenotypes in some endogamous populations of Andhra Pradesh, India

The distribution of glyoxylase (GLO) I phenotypes in six endogamous subgroups of Brahmins and in the Mala and Madiga castes of Andhra Pradesh was investigated. The GLO I gene frequencies ranged from 0.2444 to 0.3575. The frequency of 0.3565 found in the Mala is the highest recorded on the Indian subcontinent.     

Blood groups among brahmin and kamma caste populations of coastal Andhra Pradesh

Blood specimens from Brahmin and Kamma caste populations of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India are examined for A₁A₂BO, MNSs, and Rhesus blood groups. Predominance of A group in Brahmins and B group in Kammas is observed. Phenotype A₂ records less than 4% in both populations. High frequencies of genes M, s, D, and e are exhibited among both populations. Statistically significant differences are found only for A₁A₂BO system between Brahmins and Kammas.     

Intergenerational trend of some dermatoglyphic traits in Vaidyas of West Bengal, India

In order to investigate the intergenerational change of dermatoglyphics, fingerprints of 400 individuals were collected from an endogamous caste Vaidyas of Barasat, West Bengal. Results were compared with the data of an earlier sample of Banerjee collected in 35 years before on the same community of the same area. As it is generally known that dermatoglyphics is selectively neutral, thus if no other evolutionary forces play a role, we cannot expect any change of dermatoglyphic characters after several years. In the present study, non-significant change in the frequency of pattern and more or less same PII have been observed in both sexes. But significant quantitative differences were found between the two samples. These differences may not be due to the change of intra-uterine environment, rather due to the inter-observer error of these two studies and the small sample size of the earlier study. Because though same methods were used in both studies, inter-observer variation is much possible in ridge counting than pattern type determination.     

Genetic heterogeneity of Apo CII locus in north India

Apolipoprotein CII genotypes were determined in Brahmins, Banias, Jat Sikhs, Khatris, Ramgarhia, Ramdasia and Scheduled Castes of Punjab, North India (n = 930). The Apo CII exhibits three common polymorphic alleles CII*1, CII*2 and CII*3 with pooled frequencies 0.883, 0.114 and 0.003, respectively. CII*3 was absent in Brahmins. Distribution of Apo CII isoforms highlights a considerable variation among different ethnic groups across the world. The average heterozygosity of the Punjabi populations was 0.208. The gene diversity among these population groups was less than 0.1%.     

Age, gender and caste variations in scalp hair micro-morphological variables among Brahmins and Banias of Punjab, India

A cross-sectional sample of 3136 scalp hair drawn from 392 individuals aged 10 to 60 years and belonging to the Bania (n = 201) and Brahmin (n = 191) caste groups of Punjab State of India were examined for diameters of hair shaft and medulla, scale count, medulla type, hair index, medullary index and scale-count index, employing standard procedures. The mean hair shaft diameter, medullary diameter, incidence of medullation and scale-count index was higher in males, while the mean scale count was higher in females. However, with a few exceptions, the gender differences were not statistically significant (p < 0.05). The Brahmins showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean values of hair shaft diameter and scale count than the Banias. The mean scale-count index was higher among the Banias. The fragmentary medulla was the most common medullary type among the Banias, while the continuous medulla was the most frequent type of medulla among the Brahmins. The frequency of medullation was significantly more among the Banias. On the average, the hair shaft diameter and diameter of medulla increased up to 30 years. Some age variations in medullation were noticed in both the caste groups. No clear age trend was noticeable in the scale count. By and large, the mean hair shaft diameter of the Banias was less than that of other populations. The mean hair shaft diameter of the Brahmin males was greater than that of the Banias, the Onges, and the Bengalees. The Brahmin females showed greater mean hair shaft diameter than that of the Banias, the Australian Aborigines, the Juangs and the Onges. Human scalp hair shows some age, gender and population variations in micro-morphological variables which have the potential of being useful for anthropological and forensic investigations.     

Distribution of Gm and Km allotypes among ten populations of Assam, India

Serum samples from ten endogamous populations of Assam, India-Brahmins, Kalitas, Kaibartas, Muslims, Ahoms, Karbis, Kacharis, Sonowals, Chutiyas, and Rajbanshis-were typed for G1m (1, 2, 3, 17), G3m (5, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 26), and Km (1). Among Brahmins, Kalitas, Kaibartas, Muslims, Ahoms, Sonowals, Chutiyas, and Rajbanshis, five different Gm haplotypes were found: Gm1,17;21,26; Gm1,17;10,11,13,15,16; Gm1,2,17;21,26; Gm1,3;5,10,11,13,14,26; and Gm3;5,10,11,13,14,26. Kacharis and Karbis show only four of these haplotypes: Gm3;5,10,11,13,14,26 is absent among them. The intergroup variability in the distribution of these haplotypes is considerable, which can be explained by the ethnohistory of these populations. Genetic distance analysis, in which five Chinese population samples were included, revealed the existence of three main clusters: 1) North and Central Chinese; 2) Kalitas, Kaibartas, Chutiyas, Rajbanshis, Muslims, and Brahmins; and 3) Ahoms, Sonowals, Kacharis, South Chinese, and Karbis. The clusters suggest some genetic relation between these four Assamese populations and South Chinese, which is again understandable considering the ethnohistory of the populations of Northeast India. In the Km system, too, a remarkable variability is seen in distribution of phenotype and allele frequency.     

Population genetic study in ten endogamous groups of West Bengal, India

Ten endogamous population groups of West Bengal (India)--Rabhas, Garos, Mechs, Rajbanshis, Jalia Kaibartas, Bagdis, Lodhas, Mundas, Brahmins, Vaidyas--have been typed for twelve polymorphic systems: ABO, Gm, Km, Hp, Cp, Tf, Alb, Hb, aP, EsD, AK and PGM1. The results are compared with those obtained on other Indian populations. Serological and anthropometric data, which have been included into population comparisons, reveal a considerable genetic variability of the groups under study. This variability is obviously connected with the population history of West Bengal.     

Variability of selection opportunities with changing socio-cultural environments

Opportunity for selection has been studied against their contrasting socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds in two endogamous populations, namely, Brahmins and Jalaris of Visakhapatnam, India. Total selection was slightly higher among the better off Brahmins than in Jalaris. But a marked qualitative and quantitative variation was found in the contributing components; the fertility differential was circa 60% in Brahmins while the mortality differential was circa 60% in Jalaris according to the Crow Index. The decreased mortality differential in Brahmins suggests that this component was directly affected by the better socio-economic level and reflects on the population's transitional phase. Further, the If value fell to a half in women who completed their fertility by family planning when compared to women who completed their fertility by menopause, thus reducing the variance in fertility component in the family planning group.     

Genetic study of five populations of Bihar, India.

Four-hundred fifty-nine people, including 106 Santals, 43 Bhuiyas, 107 Sakaldipi Brahmins, 108 Chamars, and 95 Ansari Muslims, of the Giridhi district of Bihar have been tested for transferrin, group-specific component, phosphoglucomutase subtypes, and glyoxalase-I, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and adenylate kinase types. Genetic distance estimates by both dendrogram and principal component methods for these 5 populations and the Oraons on the basis of 19 alleles at 6 polymorphic loci indicate 2 major clusters: Brahmins and Muslims, the latter of which is composed of two subclusters (Santals and Bhuiyas, and Oraons and Chamars). The Santal and Bhuiya tribes both speak Mundari, whereas the Oraons speak a Dravidian language. The Chamars, although low-caste Hindus, seem to have a non-Europoid origin, as do the Oraons.     

Investigations on the variability of haptoglobin, transferrin and Gc polymorphisms in Assam, India

Ten different population groups of Assam - Brahmins, Kalitas, Kaibartas, Rajbanshis, Muslims, Ahoms, Chutias, Kacharis, Karbis and Sandwals - have been typed for haptoglobin and for transferrin (Tf) and Gc subtype polymorphisms. Tf and Gc allele subtype frequencies show a considerable inter-population heterogeneity. From genetic distance analysis it appears that the populations under study form some distinct clusters, which can be explained by the historical and ethnic affiliations of these populations. Especially the distribution of Gc subtype alleles reveals some Mongoloid admixture among Assamese populations, which is reflected by the presence of Gc1A8 alleles in them.     

Ethnic diversity in Punjab as based on finger dermatoglyphics

Four ethnic groups of Punjab having same dialect viz. Khatris, Jats, Brahmins and Muslims were taken to see ethnic differences in regards to the distribution of whorls, loops, and arches of finger dermatoglyphics. The results show that there is a great diversity in the four groups for these parameters. These groups were compared with similar ethnic groups of other places having different dialect. The results reveal that there seems to be ethnic affinity between the group known by same name and which is true for all the four groups.     

Molecular genetic diversity in 5 populations of Madhya Pradesh, India

This paper presents data on the distribution of 3 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (D1S80, APOB, and YNZ22) in 5 populations of Central India. Using the polymerase chain reaction technique, 3 caste (Brahmin, Khatri, and Dhimer) and 2 tribal (Gond and Baiga) populations were studied for the 3 loci. The allelic variations observed in the caste populations are compatible with those of many Caucasian populations, but the caste populations showed significant overall and interpopulation variability within the region. D1S80 allele *24 varied from 32% (Dhimers) to 42% (Brahmins). Allele *18 was not observed in Baiga tribal populations, but in caste populations it varied from 11% (Dhimers) to 24% (Brahmins). Both tribal populations showed higher frequencies of allele *31 (17%-18%). For APOB, caste populations again showed bimodal distribution of alleles *35 and *37, but in tribal populations higher allele numbers (*47, *49) were also frequent. For YNZ22, extensive variation was observed for all populations studied. Allele *4 was the most common in caste populations, while alleles *2, *7, and *10 were prominent in tribal populations. The level of gene differentiation is not very high for the 3 systems studied in the 5 populations. Overall, allele frequency distribution, heterozygosity, and genetic diversity analysis show that the genetic diversity observed is socially and geographically structured.     

Gene differentiation in four subcastes of Brahmins from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Blood group (ABO, MN, Rh, CcDEe) polymorphisms are reported here for 4 strictly endogamous subcastes of Andhra Brahmins. The coefficient of gene differentiation calculated from the gene frequencies is 0.87% demonstrating that only a small fraction of the total gene diversity is attributable to the differences between subcastes. In spite of the strict endogamy for the past 10-14 centuries, 99.13% of gene differentiation exists within the subcastes.     

Variability of genetic load with changing socio-cultural environment

Variability in genetic load has been studied against their contrasting socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds in two endogamous populations, namely, the well-off Brahmins and the low income Jalaris of Visakhapatnam, India. The A (genetic and environmental damage) and B (hidden genetic damage) estimates are higher in Jalaris. Decreased A estimates indicate the better medical care in Brahmins; the value of B could be low since many of the deaths in consanguineous families due to infectious diseases are now rarer. The genetic load (B/A ratio) indicates that the average gamete carries 0.057 and 2.123 deleterious genes, respectively, in Brahmins and Jalaris, which, if made homozygous, would kill an individual before reproductive age. The load is 35 times higher in Jalaris; this may be due to their higher inbreeding level. Contrasting socioeconomic differences and meagre medical aid might add another bias towards relatively higher B/A in Jalaris. In general the observed genetic load in both populations are lower than in other studies which may be due to gradual elimination of deleterious genes by continued practice of inbreeding.     

Genetic polymorphism study at four minisatellite loci (D1S80, D17S5, D19S20, and APOB) among five Indian population groups

The present study reports the genetic variation observed among five anthropologically distinct population groups of India, using four highly polymorphic minisatellite loci (D1S80, D17S5, D19S20, and APOB 3' VNTR) in order to examine the effect of geographical and linguistic affiliations on the genetic affinities among these groups. Random individuals from five ethnic groups were studied; the sample size ranged from 235 to 364. The population groups belong to two geographically separated regions of India, the state of Maharashtra (western India) and the state of Kerala (southern India). The two Maharashtrian groups (Konkanastha Brahmins and Marathas) speak "Marathi," an Indo-European language, whereas the three Kerala population groups (Nairs, Ezhavas, and Muslims) speak "Malayalam," an Indo-Dravidian language. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples and analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (Amp-FLP) technique. All four loci displayed high heterozygosity with average heterozygosity in the range of 0.82 to 0.84. The Polymorphic Information Content and Power of Discrimination were > or = 0.75 and > or = 0.80, respectively. The coefficient of gene differentiation was found to be low (average G(ST) = 1.2%; range between 0.6% at D1S80 locus to 1.6% at APOB 3' VNTR locus) across the loci, indicating close affinity among the population groups. The neighbor-joining tree revealed two clear clusters, one for the two Maharashtrian population groups and the other for the three Kerala population groups. The results obtained are in conformity with the geographical and linguistic backgrounds of the studied populations.     

Patterns of social and geographical distribution of transferrin subtype polymorphism in India

Transferrin subtypes have been determined by isoelectric focussing of sera from 536 individuals belonging to 9 South Indian populations: Vaidic Brahmins and Vaysya from Andhra Pradesh; Havik Brahmin, Lingayat and Jenu Kuruba from Karnataka; Namboodri Brahmin, Ezhava and Urali from Kerala; and Kallan from Tamil Nadu. C1 and C2 alleles are present in all the populations, whereas C4 is totally lacking and D1 occurs only in 3 populations. The highest frequency of C1 gene (0.814) is found in Havik Brahmins while C2 shows highest incidence among the tribe Urali. C1 occurs in slightly higher frequencies among the Hindu castes (range 0.724-0.814) than the tribal populations (range 0.698-0.703). C2 is more common in the tribes (range 0.281-0.290) compared to the castes (range 0.186-0.269). Strikingly the C3 allele is absent in all the 3 Brahmin samples but is present in 3 non-Brahmin castes and a tribal population. An examination of all the available data on Tf subtypes in India reveals no clear-cut decreasing north-south gradient in C1 gene as suggested by Walter et al. (1983). Interestingly, however, the same is observed when tribal populations are considered separately. Among the castes, in fact, the opposite trend (increasing north to south) is seen. It is suggested that the basic postulate of Walter et al. (1983) will hold good only among the tribal populations of the country. The data do not fully support the observation of Kamboh and Kirk (1983) that C3 is a specific marker of European (Caucasian) populations.     

Genetic markers among Meiteis and Brahmins of Manipur, India

Genetic polymorphism of 16 red-cell antigens, enzymes, serum proteins and Hb variants was investigated in 214 male and female individuals belonging to the Meiteis and a Brahmin caste group living in Imphal (Manipur, Northeast India). Ethnohistorical records suggest that the Meiteis are of Mongoloid origin, while the original Brahmin settlers represent the easternmost part of the so-called Caucasoids. The markers studied are: A1A2BO, MNSs, Rh-system, Duffy, Diego; Gm, Km, Gc, Hp, Tf, Cp; Hb; aP, AK, EsD and LDH. The comparison between the two groups on the basis of the markers studied showed that the Meiteis and Brahmins are very close to each other with respect to most of the loci except Gm, EsD and Hb, where significant statistical differences were found.